Le portrait de Dorian Gray

Le portrait de Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde and Albert Savine (1854-1900)

Approximate level
B2
Length
82,636 words
Reading time
6 h 53 min
Chapters
22
Language
French
On Project Gutenberg since
2004

This preface to the French translation of Oscar Wilde's novel explores the nature of art, beauty, and morality. Written in the late nineteenth century, the text uses precise and aphoristic language to define the role of the artist and the critic. You will encounter sophisticated vocabulary and structured, philosophical arguments. While the sentences are generally concise, their abstract themes and formal tone require careful attention. This is a challenging read that offers a clear look at aesthetic theory in classical French prose.

1,103 downloads on Project Gutenberg

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Subjects

  • Didactic fiction
  • Supernatural -- Fiction
  • Conduct of life -- Fiction
  • Portraits -- Fiction
  • Great Britain -- History -- Victoria, 1837-1901 -- Fiction
  • London (England) -- History -- 1800-1950 -- Fiction
  • Appearance (Philosophy) -- Fiction
  • Paranormal fiction

Questions about this book

What level of French do I need for this book?

The estimate is B2, based on how common the words are and how long the sentences run. It is an approximation, not a test result. With a translation under every sentence you can start one level earlier than you would with a paper copy.

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How long does it take to read?

About 6 h 53 min at a native pace, spread over 22 chapters. In a foreign language plan for more: half an hour a day finishes a book of this size in a few weeks.

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Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain.